Oculus founder is creating a VR headset that kills players that die in the game
Menlo Park, California - Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus, claims to be working on a new virtual reality system that kills players after they die in the game.
Luckey revealed details about the headset, called NerveGear, in a recent blog post, describing it as an "incredible device that perfectly recreates reality using a direct neural interface that is also capable of killing the user."
The headset has three "explosive charge modules" that are set off "instantly destroying the brain of the user" as they reach their ill-fated GAME OVER.
He explains that the idea of tying yourself to a virtual avatar fascinates him, even though it has never been done before.
"You instantly raise the stakes to the maximum level and force people to fundamentally rethink how they interact with the virtual world and the players inside it," Luckey wrote.
"Pumped up graphics might make a game look more real, but only the threat of serious consequences can make a game feel real to you and every other person in the game."
The concept was inspired by the anime series Sword Art Online, where characters meet up in a virtual reality game only to find themselves trapped with no way out, and taking the headset off could be lethal.
"The good news is that we are halfway to making a true NerveGear," Luckey said. "The bad news is that so far, I have only figured out the half that kills you."
Palmer Luckey also added "The perfect-VR half of the equation is still many years out."
Cover photo: Courtesy of Palmer Luckey